Asian Para Games Day 4: Five world records broken, China retains women's wheelchair basketball title

Zhang Tonglei (2nd L) of China shoots during the Women's Gold Medal Match of the Wheelchair Basketball between China and Japan at the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

HANGZHOU, Oct. 26 (Xinhua) -- Five world records were broken on Thursday as the Hangzhou Asian Para Games entered its second half, while China clinched its third consecutive title in women's wheelchair basketball.

China and Japan had met in the women's wheelchair basketball final three times in a row at the Asian Para Games. Japan won the inaugural edition in Guangzhou 2010, with China emerging victorious in the following two Games.

In their fourth Asian Para Games contest in Hangzhou, China took the initiative from the beginning en route to a 61-30 victory. Lin Suiling scored a game-high 21 points for China, while Lyu Guidi and Zhang Tonglei added 12 and 11 each.

Many para athletes have made history in athletics. Haider Ali claimed Pakistan's first medal at Hangzhou after winning gold in the men's discus throw F37, while Dastan Mukashbekov claimed Kazakhstan's first ever Asian Para Games gold in athletics in the men's shot put F36.

Meanwhile, China's veteran Wang Hao clinched his ninth gold medal at the Asian Para Games after winning the 100m T47 in Hangzhou, adding to his three golds from Incheon 2014 and five from Jakarta 2018, making him the most successful men's athlete in athletics at the Asian Para Games.

China's Wen Xiaoyan, Karisma Evi Tiarani of Indonesia and Iran's Erfan Moein Rezaei set new world records in the women's 100m T37, women's 100m T42 and men's javelin throw F33 respectively.

Two more new world records were created by Chinese athletes on Thursday, as Tan Yujiao lifted 141kg in the women's 67kg category, while Han Guifei and Zhang Tianxin won the archery men's team W1 16 arrows 50m with 147 points.

China beat Thailand 1-0 in the blind football preliminaries to qualify for the final with one round to spare. With four wins from four outings, China tops the group with 12 points and a clean sheet.

In goalball, China beat Iran and Thailand respectively in the men's and women's semifinals. The women's team will take on Japan again in the final on Friday following their duel in Jakarta.

With 39 gold medals on Thursday, China now leads the medal tally with a total of 393, including 157 golds, 128 silvers and 108 bronzes, followed by Iran with 32-36-28 and Japan on 30-33-41.

Lin Suiling (R) of China passes the ball during the Women's Gold Medal Match of the Wheelchair Basketball between China and Japan at the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Yang Zhisen)

Players of China pose for photos during the awarding ceremony after the Women's Gold Medal Match of the Wheelchair Basketball between China and Japan at the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)

Players of China pose for photos during the awarding ceremony after the Women's Gold Medal Match of the Wheelchair Basketball between China and Japan at the 4th Asian Para Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Oct. 26, 2023. (Xinhua/Cai Yang)